New Program for Women Beef and Dairy Producers Launches in Iowa
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will offer a new program for female beef and dairy producers held in northeast Iowa starting in January. "Boots in the Barn" is a three-part series for women involved in cattle production. Three workshops will be offered on Jan. 4, 11 and 18. Dairy topics will be discussed from 1-3 p.m. and beef topics from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
“We’ve had great success with programs designed specifically for women,” said Denise Schwab, beef specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “Women often prefer to learn in small groups and with hands-on opportunities. They like to ask lots of questions of presenters without feeling intimidated, so programs designed specifically for women are very effective.”
Three counties in Iowa -- Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque -- are home to 25 percent of Iowa’s dairy herds and 5 percent of Iowa’s beef cow herds. Dairy and beef production have a lot in common, such as reproduction and basic ruminant nutrition. However, they have slightly different perspectives, such as nutritional requirements for maximum milk production, feed quality requirements, and grazing options.
“We know dairy producers prefer to meet during the day and beef women prefer evenings,” said Jenn Bentley, dairy specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, “so we are offering two different programs to best meet each of their needs.”
Jan. 4, Commercial Club Park Community Room, 225 11th St SE, Dyersville
Leo Timms, Morrill professor and dairy specialist at Iowa State University, will talk about milk quality and udder health for the afternoon dairy session. The beef session will be taught by Denise Schwab and a local veterinarian and will feature beef herd health and a herd management calendar.
Jan. 11, Fast Stop Shed, 32199 Old Castle Rd, Dyersville
Dr. Grant Dewell, associate professor in beef production and beef veterinarian at Iowa State University, and others from Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine with “Frosty the cow.” Frosty is a life-size cow model used to teach calving management, dystocia and delivery to veterinary students. Participants will have the opportunity to deliver a fully jointed life-size calf, and practice difficult deliveries on a model.
Jan. 18, Commercial Club Park Community Room, 225 11th St SE, Dyersville
Hugo Ramirez, assistant professor and extension dairy specialist at Iowa State University, will focus on quality feed delivery and tools to measure feed quality. Attendees are encouraged to bring along a feed sample for discussion. The beef session will discuss quality silage and Denise Schwab will discuss basic beef feed budgeting and cost control.
Registration fee is $25 and covers all three workshops. Register online by Dec. 28. For more information on "Boots in the Barn," contact Jennifer Bentley at 563-382-2949 or jbentley@iastate.edu or Denise Schwab at 319-472-4739 or dschwab@iastate.eduor the ISU Extension and Outreach office in Clayton, Delaware or Dubuque County.
